4. 1999 NLCS Games Five and Six (10/17/1999 – 10/19)
If you think that the trio of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard is good, just think about the sheer dominance of Atlanta Braves pitchers John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux — all of whom have been inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.
That didn’t seem to stop the Mets in 1999, when they looked tremendous adversity in the face and took the series to six games. Immense contributions from the team’s backstop was a large reason why the Mets could contend despite facing seemingly insurmountable opponents.
In Game 5, Piazza, who wasn’t known as a great fielder, made a terrific block of home plate that set up John Olerud’s “Walk-off single” in the fifteenth inning. Then, in the seventh inning of Game 6, he helped the Mets overcome a rough outing from Al Leiter to tie a game that was Atlanta previously led 7-2. While New York would eventually fall in the eleventh on a Kenny Rogers walk, Piazza’s contributions will be forever remembered.
Bob Costas said as Piazza capped the Mets incredible comeback, “Tied at seven, hoping for Game 7!”
